PARA JUMBLES

The term "para-jumble" refers to

a paragraph in which the
sentences that make up the
paragraph are mixed up. So,
what exactly is it that we are
supposed to be doing here? It is
necessary of us to arrange the
sentences in an appropriate
manner so that they link to one
another and build a paragraph
that makes sense.
 Sample Para-Jumble

When put in the correct order, the sentences

that are provided in each question can be
assembled into a logical paragraph. A letter is
assigned to each sentence in this exercise. To
create a coherent paragraph, choose, from
among the available options, the sequence of
phrases that makes the greatest sense to you.
A. On Monday, the secretary of state is scheduled to hold a day of talks with
high-level political, military, and corporate figures to advance a “strategic
conversation” aimed at further expanding US trade in India. The goal of
these discussions is to further the expansion of US trade in India.

B. On Sunday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of the United States of

America arrived in India for a series of strategic meetings. The purpose of
these talks is to strengthen bilateral ties and secure more solid backing for
the war in Afghanistan.

C. According to a reporter who was travelling with her, Clinton arrived in

Delhi by jet before noon, in advance of the discussions that were scheduled
to take place in the evening with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and
President Pratibha Patel.

1. BAC

2. BCA

3. CBA

4. CAB
This is a question with a relatively simple answer, and I hope that
all of you were able to recognize that the correct answer is BCA
from Option 2.

In this particular instance, the correct answer can be determined

by looking at the following crucial points:

Statement B is the optimal way to begin our discussion since it

gives us a clear and concise overview of the topics that will be
covered in the remaining paragraphs.
The explanation for the evening comes first in Statement C,
followed by the explanation for the next day in Statement A. This
progression moves the paragraph forward in the chronological
sequence in which the events are scheduled.
Basic Strategies for solving Para-jumble
Questions
1. Try to locate the introductory sentence:

While you go through the labelled sentences, try

to look for one that makes a fresh beginning. It
should not be a sentence that is extending
previous ideas.
2. Check for Conclusive Last
Sentences:

Test setters are smart. They would

typically not let you get away so easily.
There are multiple options beginning with
the introductory sentence. So you will
need more than one clue. The last
sentence in the paragraph is one that
summarizes and has links to previous
3. Anticipate the
order of the
sentences:

Knowing that going

through each choice is
cumbersome, you must
clearly work towards
generating some kind of
order in your mind,
before you look at the
options. This tactic will
4. See if there are any logical sequences
among sentence pairs:

Very often a pair of sentences can be

chronologically arranged because of clues in one of
the sentences. Standard clues include reference to
a person or a thing. The first time such a reference
is made, a noun form is used. The second reference
will be pronoun or a preposition.
 For example, look at these two
sentences:

A. Its origins lie in Konark, where a huge

chariot of Lord Jagannath is made
every year to be taken out in a
procession.

B. The juggernaut, though it seems very

German in origin, is actually quite Asian.
The "Its" in sentence A refers clearly to
juggernaut. So we can infer that sentence B
precedes sentence A. Only using this
information of the "its", we do not know if B
comes immediately before A or whether one
or two sentences separate A and B. But by
looking closely, you will also see a common
word- "origin", which hunts at the fact that
the relationship is of immediate precedence.
5. Confirm the closest option:

Having scribbled something like BCDA next to the

question, do check if such an option exists. If you
see an option like BDCA also alongside, then it
would make sense to reconfirm the fact that
sentence D follows sentence C. In case there is no
exact match, the judgment about a close option
being correct, will depend whether there is a
match on the introductory and the concluding
sentences. If there is, then it is worth taking a
chance and ticking that option off. If there is more
6. Plug in all the
options:

If everything else has

failed, this is the last
tactic. But this tactic
needs to be used
judiciously, especially
in tests where there is
negative marking.
Skills required to solve Para-
jumbles Questions:

Understanding the topic of the paragraph:

One should be able to discern what is being

talked about, because the subject of individual
sentences forms the most important clue for
establishing links between various sentences.
Understanding the information flow and approach
of author:

The second thing that is pivotal to identify is the

information flow that has been adopted by the author.
What is his exact purpose in the paragraph? Is he
explicating something or is he criticizing something?
Being able to identify his purpose in the paragraph will
obviously help us to establish the order of sentences.
A. A famous Japanese rock garden is at Ryoan-Ji in Northwest Kyoto, Japan.

B. The rocks of various sizes are arranged on small white pebbles in five
groups, each comprising five, two, three, two, & three rocks.

C. The garden is 30 meters long from East to West & 10 meters from north
to south.

D. The garden contains 15 rocks arranged on the surface of white pebbles

in such a manner that visitors can see only 14 of them at once from
whichever angle the garden is viewed.

E. There are no trees, just 15 irregularly shaped rocks of varying sizes,

some arranged by gravel/sand that is raked everyday.

1. ACEBD
2. CAEDB
3. DEABC
4. BADEC
A. The post-election crisis in Kenya remains unresolved.

B. The damage being done to the country's economy is severe: tourism,

horticulture, and other industries that depend on trade beyond the Kenyan
border are reeling.

C. Many countries responded, providing essential humanitarian assistance

and logistical support. For this, I and many other Kenyans are very grateful.

D. Thousands of livelihoods, along with investments throughout the region,

are threatened and collapsing.

E. As the situation in Kenya escalated with murders, rapes, burning of

property, looting, and the displacement of thousands of people throughout
the country - the international community was urged to help.

1. AEDBC
2. ABCED
3. ACDEB
4. ABDEC
A. Thus, despite India's huge population, we have not done well in
Olympic Games.

B. During the British period also, cricket remained popular in India.

C. Cricket has been an extremely popular game in India for quite some
time now.

D. It is time our government and corporate fraternity pay due attention

to other games/sports and we redeem our national pride in Olympic
Games.

E. However, due to this reason, other games/sports did not receive the
required attention they deserve.

1. EACDB
2. BDACE
3. CBEAD
4. DCEAB
ANSWERS

1.A

2.D

3.C